Ricky Ray update

[Will]

Apparently we won't hear anything until Thursday? I know it is a long week, but considering that his health is kinda important (understating that) I'd sure love to know.

[Argo57]

Apparently we won't hear anything until Thursday? I know it is a long week, but considering that his health is kinda important (understating that) I'd sure love to know.

I'm suspecting the Argos don't want to tip their hand too early for the Montreal game.

[ArgoRavi]

This is a team that needs media attention and there is zero excuse IMO for not revealing that Ray has a bruised shoulder (my guess) until Thursday which is almost one week since the last game. I don't even buy the Argos not wanting to tip their hand too early as Montreal will still have lots of time to prepare for the Argos after Thursday. I am sick and tired of the secrecy around injuries in this and other sports leagues these days.

[paulwoods13]

I agree that in this environment, where the team is fighting a pitched battle for the hearts and minds of Torontonians, updates should have been provided on his condition well before now, much less Thursday. People can get a hate on for the NFL, but that league would NEVER allow one of its teams to go underground on the issue of the health of its starting QB.

[flafson]

The media doesn't show anything CFL related to be honest, Blue Jays you will see on all news channels but CFL only on TSN.

[ArgoRavi]

The media doesn't show anything CFL related to be honest, Blue Jays you will see on all news channels but CFL only on TSN.

While there is truth to that, the Argos aren't helping themselves by basically telling the media to get lost until Thursday. I think that is a huge mistake in the Toronto market.

[D-Gap-Willie]

This is a team that needs media attention and there is zero excuse IMO for not revealing that Ray has a bruised shoulder (my guess) until Thursday which is almost one week since the last game. I don't even buy the Argos not wanting to tip their hand too early as Montreal will still have lots of time to prepare for the Argos after Thursday. I am sick and tired of the secrecy around injuries in this and other sports leagues these days.
For sure, the Argos should have revealed long ago that Ray has an "upper body injury". I don't understand the secrecy either - or is it laziness ? --- or worse, a belief within the Argos that the media and fans don't care about the information -- or even worse, that the media and fans don't deserve to know.
Something is very wrong here, and it's not only with injury updates. The Argos simply don't do updates about almost anything !
Somehow the Argos must come to realize that we, the fans, want to know and deserve to know. How much effort would it be to have someone keyboard " Argo Updates of the Day" on argonauts.ca or Twitter ?

[Will]

The updates about Ray and Kackert after the Winnipeg game were delivered in a much more timely fashion. I fail to understand what the delay is here.

[gilthethrill]

Seems like this team is trying to frustrate a seemingly dwindling fan base, first by not having Fan Day (no clear reason given either) & now preventing the media from gathering info on the teams star player.

[matchuk]

Seems like this team is trying to frustrate a seemingly dwindling fan base, first by not having Fan Day (no clear reason given either) & now preventing the media from gathering info on the teams star player.

dont forget no "see you on the field" either...

[294life]

i'm being the devil's advocate here. say Ray can't play now and you don't sell tix for next tuesday's game cuz people won't want to see another blowout. i understand it won't make a big difference if you say that thursday but that's two extra days to keep people guessing. :shhhh:



as i said for calvillo in another thread we won't know until we see or don't see him in practice thursday and friday. my bet is he'll sit it out and wait for the young gunslinger to lose a game before stepping back in as the saviour. :p

[ArgoRavi]

i'm being the devil's advocate here. say Ray can't play now and you don't sell tix for next tuesday's game cuz people won't want to see another blowout.

And exactly who is going to blow out who if Ray can't play?

[Argo57]

And exactly who is going to blow out who if Ray can't play?

Agreed Ravi
If Ray doesn't play which seems likely flip a coin to predict the winner.
I have enjoyed the Argonauts as much as anyone over the years but they are clueless in regards to staying relevant in this marketplace.
No communication regarding off season camps, fan day etc, only us diehards put the effort in to seek info on the team, casual sports fans remain oblivious and move on to something else.

[294life]

And exactly who is going to blow out who if Ray can't play?

so what you're saying is Ray can sit this one out then. No worries. ;)

[Argocister]

Actually, it sounds as if the team is taking a few days off. They start practice on Thursday, which gives them 5 days till game day.
I think they delay saying anything as no one is around. Ray rests, does some physio and come Thurs. they'll know if he's good to play or not. Collaros said he was coming back a day early to be ready for Thurs practice. (Wed?)
Maybe they are being secretive, but I'm too practical.... They're out of town. Another peculiarity of our beautiful schedule .... Thanx rogers ..... :sick:

[Johno27]

Here is Jim Barker's update on TSN.ca this morning. Gives nature of the injury but not to timing of Ray's return.

http://www2.tsn.ca/window/podcastcentre/#id=22179 &id=13

[Mowich]

I find this is a constant problem across the league. If it weren't for Rider fans of the Sask fan forum who attend practices, I would not have a clue who is currently practicing with the team and who isn't. Still no word from Rider management about whether Rob Bagg will be in the game on Labor Day.

BTW, can anyone tell me what is happening with Chad Kackert........I really miss seeing him in Argo games.

[Will]

I believe that Kackert is still a few weeks from returning. That is often our source of information here as well. We have a few people who attend practices, but not everyday. We tend to get more information first-hand during training camp.

[Mulder]

Out for up too 6 weeks with Shoulder injury.

[Will]

Well isn't that just great?

[mint83]

Very disappointing news. Seems to conflict with what Barker said yesterday.

Lets see if Zach is a real QB.

[294life]

AC didn't practice today. Not official yet but unlikely he will start tuesday. Battle of the backups in the works.

AC had some ups and downs this week and Popp claims that even without practice he could still play because he knows the system so well. Nice job of waffling there Jim. :p

[paulwoods13]

This is why I was advocating either re-signing Jarious or signing another veteran QB in the off-season. However, at least both of the kids have seen some PT this season.

We play four of the next six on the road, with two games against demonstrably strong teams (Sask and Cal), one against a weak sister (Edm), back-to-back at the outset against a somewhat unpredictable but also banged-up Montreal team, and the final one against an increasingly dangerous Hamilton team. If Collaros can help us get three wins over the next six weeks, we'll be in excellent shape heading into the final four against Ham, Wpg, Wpg and Mtl. Michael Bishop held serve for us in 2004 when Damon went down -- let's hope Collaros can do it as well.

[RICKEARS]

https://fbcdn-sphotos-f-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-ash4/1175135_10153197748015444_1577311527_n.jpg

[ArgoRavi]

This is why I was advocating either re-signing Jarious or signing another veteran QB in the off-season. However, at least both of the kids have seen some PT this season.

With all due respect, Paul, I think that the combo of Collaros and Harris will do at least as well as Jarious would have. I do agree with you that if Collaros can QB the team to three wins over the next six games that we should be happy heading into the home stretch.

[flafson]

At least Zach will be working with the team now, hopefully we will see a BC repeat.

[doubleblue]

Well that changes the race for first. I wonder if Hughes collected the bounty money. Oh wait that can't do that anymore can they? lol

[Ron]

The Ray injury worked out well last season.

[argolio]

The Ray injury worked out well last season.No it didn't. Ray coming back from his injury worked out well.

[matchuk]

well, this makes the east a little more interesting, especially with the ticats on our tails

[Wobbler]

Paul had a very good point in the pre-season about our lack of experienced backup capability, but Collaros now has enough experience that I'd start him even if Jackson was still on our roster. No one has a backup near the level of Ricky Ray; he's out, and we're as well prepared for that - personnel-wise - as we could be. I'm confident that we'll play better this week and win, no matter which woeful backup QB starts for Montreal.

[Midnight Blue]

Hate as much as everyone, to see Ricky injured, but if there is any upside, it may be that our Defence,

gets a chance, in the next half-dozen games, to prove the eternal Defence mantra, that,

Defence wins Championships.


Ka' Pla !

[D-Gap-Willie]

It will be a very interesting six weeks without Ray. I can see Collaros having some good and some bad days, like any other QB, which will give us a chance ti see how good Harris can be off the bench. That will be tough for Harris, since the the offensive game set will have been designed around Collaros.
We really don't know about the six weeks - the guess of "six weeks plus or minus two weeks" is speculation at this point; injuries to the teres major are quite rare, and rehab is pretty much uncharted waters. It is not a terribly important muscle, but there is no way to support it with any form of brace. Having said that, it can cause a real mess in the rotator cuff and surrounding musculature, if Ray attempts to use it while still inflamed and healing. We can only wait and see - MRI's will tell the story.
The O-line must keep Collaros healthy.

[moeajram]

We need the Defence and special team's to step up big time while Ray is out, and if anyone can make the D step up, it would be Jones.

[AngeloV]

This is why I was advocating either re-signing Jarious or signing another veteran QB in the off-season. However, at least both of the kids have seen some PT this season.

We play four of the next six on the road, with two games against demonstrably strong teams (Sask and Cal), one against a weak sister (Edm), back-to-back at the outset against a somewhat unpredictable but also banged-up Montreal team, and the final one against an increasingly dangerous Hamilton team. If Collaros can help us get three wins over the next six weeks, we'll be in excellent shape heading into the final four against Ham, Wpg, Wpg and Mtl. Michael Bishop held serve for us in 2004 when Damon went down -- let's hope Collaros can do it as well.

I'm actually glad that JJ didn't come back. I thought he was horrible last year when he played, and would much prefer to see the young guys get work. JJ is a play action, long bomb type of QB. Not a fit in the Milanovich system IMO.

[paulwoods13]

I'm actually glad that JJ didn't come back. I thought he was horrible last year when he played, and would much prefer to see the young guys get work. JJ is a play action, long bomb type of QB. Not a fit in the Milanovich system IMO.

I can't really argue that point but I sure would feel better having a veteran backing up Collaros than another largely untried pivot. I'm not down on Harris but I'm worried about our ability to stay ahead of Hamilton if we run into the usual growing pains of inexperienced QBs. However, Michael Bishop held down the fort OK back in 2004 without a lot of experience, and Collaros appears to have a much better overall skill set than him. (On the other hand, our defence in 2004 was really strong; can't say that yet about this group.)

[294life]

Tanner Marsh is a go for tuesday. The als website has gone all black, guess they're not fooling around anymore. :peekaboo:

[Stevoman]

Well this will be a good test and opportunity for Collaros. Usually I don't worry about how the other Eastern teams fare but I am hoping for back to back victories for the Lions against the Ti-Cats and at least a split for us against the Als. Going 3 and 3 while Ricky is out is possible and what I am expecting. I also have this hunch that the Bombers will win one against the Riders but I don't know why because the Bombers are in such a circus. Even worse than the Reinbold era.

[ArgoRedneck]

I think this is a 6 week infomercial for Ottawa. This is bad for our overall QB situation if Collaros does well, and Ray heals slow or makes his shoulder more prone to injury. Do I want Collaros to kick some ass or just go .500?

[Stevoman]

I think this is a 6 week infomercial for Ottawa. This is bad for our overall QB situation if Collaros does well, and Ray heals slow or makes his shoulder more prone to injury. Do I want Collaros to kick some ass or just go .500?

I totally know where you're coming from but I think we need to live in the now and not worry about Ottawa, the NFL, or free agency until the offseason.

[Antwon]

It's up to the coaches now. Jones needs to get the defense to stop giving up 30+ points a game. And the of offense needs a running game. Otherwise we kiss first place goodbye. Hamilton is coming on!

[ArgoRavi]

It looks like Ray is aiming to be back starting on Thanksgiving Monday which means that we have another four games without him: http://www.thestar.com/sports/argos/2013/09/09/ricky_ray_steps_up_rehab_argos_trade_for_anthony_w oodson.html#

[jerrym]

It's up to the coaches now. Jones needs to get the defense to stop giving up 30+ points a game. And the of offense needs a running game. Otherwise we kiss first place goodbye. Hamilton is coming on!

The defence did not give up 30 points against Montreal. Two Montreal TDs were scored directly off the offence, so the defence gave up 16 points and tightened up at the end. Still it was playing against an inexperienced qb and will need to be in top form throughout the game against what is likely to be a fierce Rider onslaught after their loss to Winnipeg and a totally ineffectual offence that now wants to show why the team is still #1.